The Sleepwalkers

by Christopher Clark

First published 2012

Amazon

4.5(4,532)

The Sleepwalkers reconstructs the political and diplomatic crises that led from the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo to general European war in August 1914. Clark begins with Serbian nationalism and violence in the Balkans before following the ambitions, fears and alliances of Austria-Hungary, Germany, Russia, France and Britain.

The account moves through the July Crisis decision by decision, showing how incomplete information, domestic pressures and conflicting assumptions narrowed the available choices. Rather than locating responsibility in one government or a single long-term plan, Clark explains how several leaders accepted escalating risks and helped turn a regional confrontation into the First World War.